Program Manager/Value Stream Manager

Long term contract

Remote available but preferred hybrid in Phoenix, Arizona or Minneapolis, Minnesota

Our Fortune 50 Healthcare Insurance client is seeking a highly motivated Program Manager / Value Stream Manager to oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of key initiatives within our value stream. This role requires a strategic thinker who can manage program backlogs, facilitate PI planning, lead scrum-of-scrums meetings, and ensure alignment between onshore and offshore teams. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills to drive execution and deliver business value effectively.

Responsibilities

Program & Backlog Management:

• Oversee the backlog and ensure effective prioritization in collaboration with business and technology stakeholders.
• Drive execution of programs by aligning with teams onshore and offshore to meet business objectives.
• Ensure seamless tracking of work and alignment with value stream goals.

PI Planning & Execution:

• Lead PI (Program Increment) planning sessions to align teams on scope, objectives, and dependencies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of planned work.
• Monitor and adjust plans as necessary to keep projects on track.

Scrum of Scrums Leadership:

• Facilitate Scrum of Scrums meetings to track progress, resolve dependencies, and mitigate risks.
• Work closely with Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and other leaders to drive program execution.
• Foster collaboration across teams and ensure visibility of key issues and solutions.

Program Governance & Reporting:

• Manage overall program governance, ensuring adherence to best practices and frameworks.
• Provide regular status updates and reporting to leadership and business partners.
• Identify risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies.

Autonomy & Accountability:

• Take ownership of program execution with minimal supervision while consulting leadership as needed.
• Ensure clear accountability for program success, tracking deliverables, and driving continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement best practices to enhance program efficiency and effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in program management, agile delivery, or value stream leadership within a large organization.
• Strong understanding of SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) and Agile methodologies.
• Proven experience with PI planning, backlog management, and running Scrum of Scrums.
• Ability to manage onshore and offshore teams effectively, ensuring seamless collaboration.
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with program governance, reporting, and business partner engagement.
• High degree of autonomy, accountability, and problem-solving capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the healthcare or insurance industry.
• Familiarity with Jira, Rally, or other Agile project management tools.